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Sunday, 2 February 2014

Juan Transfer to Rule Them All

When it became apparent in the wee
hours of an otherwise sombre Thursday morning that Chelsea were contemplating
selling one of their best players to a direct title rival (or a would-be-maybe-next-year
direct title rival), astonishment abounded in football media.

Sky Sports commentator Gary Neville
opined that he wasn’t sure how much Manchester United needed Mata but he was
extremely sure Chelsea wouldn’t be likely to sell to a rival. The Daily Mail
and the Mirror concurred- it would be outlandish to even think of it! Goal.com
called it “The January Window’s most ridiculous transfer”.

Three days later David De Gea was pictured
ushering Juan into training and introducing him to the Manchester United first
team. That’s what this writer loves about football- ridiculous things happen,
and usually ridiculous people are involved.

Jose Mourinho was about as clear as
he could be about the fact that Juan Mata was no longer his first-choice number
ten. The sniffing began with PSG and
Real Madrid rumoured to be among those interested. The price would be heavy-
that was clear, but it was also clear that English teams were not in
contention.

So what changed? Well, to put it
simply, Jose needed to do something Jose-like. He needed to set a precedent.
Wayne Rooney wasn’t sold to Chelsea in the summer under the safe and reasonable
pretext that a club doesn’t sell to a direct title rival.

Well, conveniently as things
transpired, United fell far short of being title contenders and Jose saw a
golden opportunity to make some money, get rid of a player he didn’t want and
demonstrate to United that “some clubs do sell to title rivals”. His ulterior
motives (if any!) are things he is best aware of but one thing is certain- it
sends a powerful message about how confident Jose is in his current squad of
players.

The truth is that’s a hallmark of
all great managers. Sir Alex Ferguson achieved astonishing things with a group
of players who, in the present season, have been astonishing in an entirely
different way. Injuries plagued his teams as well but that never stopped him
from keeping the bigger picture in mind and taking difficult calls- like saying
goodbye to David Beckham when he was at the top of his game or spending close
to 30 million on Robin Van Persie when many thought he was past his prime.

And it’s in pursuit of that very
same well-timed wisdom that David Moyes has hauled Juan Mata to Old Trafford. Mata
may not be the solution to United’s problems (this writer doesn’t think so) but
he’s certainly the solution to Moyes’. In a season peppered with losses and
less-than-perfect performances, fans are losing patience in their so-named “chosen
one” and he needed to make a serious statement of intent in that window.

So, on paper the Mata transfer
seemed to be a win-win for all concerned. Jose got his money and proved his
point, Moyes appeased some of the growing Red Devil animosity towards him and
Juan finally got a chance to play some football. How long would the sunshine
last, though? Well, about seven days if you’re Manchester United.

Juan Mata was voted Man of the
Match for his performance against Cardiff City, where he helped propel United
to a 2-0 win. Joy abounded as many in the red of Manchester could finally see
the light at the end of a pretty dark tunnel.

Cut to three days later in the
windy plains of Stoke. Former Anfield “legend” Charlie Adam (err, well he is
today anyway) returned to haunt the Devils of Manchester with a little help
from the world’s slowest moving footballer Michael Carrick. Juan notched up
another assist but it didn’t Mata.

Beyond anything else, that game
proved what most in football already know. Manchester United’s problems go
beyond the hunt for a midfielder, a defender or a centre forward. The problem
is not with the people not signed yet. The problem is with the attitude of
those currently in the team.

David Moyes was quick to come out
and say they were unlucky. They created chances but somehow couldn’t finish
them. And they conceded from a set-piece. Again. Clearly unfortunate. There’s
no other conceivable explanation. Except maybe lazy defending, a lack of belief
and abysmal finishing but we dare not venture there.

Alex Ferguson’s success mantra was
always “focus on winning”. It’s never about how you win. It’s about winning. A
team that gets remembered is one that wins. Many times his sides embodied that
philosophy in its entirety and churned out woeful displays, somehow picking up
the three points.

Moyes’ philosophy seems drastically
different. He seems to be narrowing down on playing attractive football. There
are many occasions this season when we’ve seen United play decently well
without scoring and get caught out at the other end. One wagers United fans
would prefer their players be the ones doing the catching out.

Repeated defeats sap self-esteem.
And belief. And erode the core of what may otherwise be a good team. A perfect
example is Arsenal post “The Invincibles”. Seasons of no trophies have seen
many players leave, and one fears the same may happen if United don’t change
their philosophy. It’s all well and good to try and play attractive football.
It’s imperative to win. That is the Manchester United way.

If the philosophy is the problem,
signings Juan Mata much. A paradigm shift in thinking and strategy is the need
of the hour for the Red Devils. Motivation must return because that will propel
them to play the “winning way”.